CROSS Keys have bolstered their back three ahead of their Principality Premiership opener against Merthyr on Saturday, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Pandy Park side have signed full-back/fly-half James Thomas from Cardiff and former Wales Students and Hartpury College wing/centre Jacob Unwin.

The club moved to add more depth after Newport Gwent Dragons wing Lloyd Lewis suffered a shoulder injury playing in Sunday’s Premiership 7s while academy prospect Joe Goodchild was injured on Wales Under-18s’ summer tour to South Africa.

With WRU-contracted Ethan Davies set to be a key figure on the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit from December, the experienced Thomas and promising Unwin are welcome additions for head coach Greg Woods.

“Thomas plays 15 and 10, is a playmaker and a goalkicker,” said Woods. “He has plenty of experience with Neath, Glamorgan Wanderers and played in the British and Irish Cup.

“Unwin is an exciting signing because he played for us throughout pre-season, scored a lot of tries and looked impressive.

“He is big, strong and fit and hopefully he can do a similar job to ‘Volvo’ (the reliable utility back James Cordy-Redden, who earned an England sevens deal thanks to his exploits with Keys), giving our back line a bit of size.”

Earlier this summer Keys signed prop Lewis Smout from Cardiff along with fellow loosehead Cory Hewlett from Penallta, flanker Max George arrived from Cardiff Met and outside centre Lewis Barnett arrives from Penallta permanently after impressing on permit last season.

Keys get their season under way on home turf against Championship champions Merthyr, who are fancied for a title tilt, while the first Premiership game is on Friday evening when Newport head to the capital to face old rivals Cardiff (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Black and Ambers won the Foster’s Premiership 7s plate on the Arms Park plastic last weekend and will be hoping to enjoy their first away win against the Blue and Blacks since their 22-6 success in January 2012.